Customer Reviews

Always entertaining - By: Jeremy Walton, 15 Aug 2008
My boss kindly lent me this set last week. I already had the original version of the "1000 Years" show on CD, but this video adds new dimensions to the performance. Much of the focus, of course, is on RT as he stands at the mikein that characteristic twisted posture, leading with his right shoulder, eyes closed on the ballads, biting off the end of the lines of the fast songs, effortlessly switching from humorous banter to performances of extraordinary intensity, & playing just about the best acoustic guitar you've ever heard. This latter skill is well showcasedin rhis unbelievably eclectic set, from his picking out of the intricate melody on the Gilbert & Sullivan number, to the rhythmic, funky thump that drives "So Ben Mi Ca Bon Tempo" & the expert jazz-based solos on songs like "Cry Me A River".

He's competently backed up by Debra Dobkin (who's a replacement for erstwhile RT band member Michael Jerome on the "1000 Years" CD) & Judith Owen. The latter is more heavily featured than on the CD, taking two solo turns, but her performances are, for me, the weakest link here; I felt the pitch was waveringin places (especially on an over-mannered, arrhythmic take of "Night And Day"), & she wasn't well-served by being on video, as I thought the arm-waving, hair-flicking & face-pulling were distractions that simply didn't fit with the rest of the performance.

RT says (in a couple of interesting interviews that bookend this performance) that they want to highlight songs that might otherwise have been forgotten. He achieved that for mein the case of one song - namely the excellent, knowing, "1985", which I'd never heard before (although, being more recent, it probably wasn'tin as much danger of being neglected as - say - "Bonnie St Johnstone"). Allin all, an entertaining, illuminating performance, which I'd thoroughly recommend.

---

Finally a Thompson live DVD that really clicks - By: A reviewer, 28 Oct 2007
The first two Richard Thompson live dvd's were marred by slightly uninspiring song selections & fairly basic camera work. But third time's the charm - this lovely dvd presentation of Thompson's "1000 Years of Popular Music" show is simply one of the most essential itemsin his entire catalogue - along with "Henry the Human Fly", "I Want To See the Bright Lights Tonight", "Shoot Out the Lights", "The Old Kit Bag" & "Rumor & Sigh". And it's essential not only for Thompson fans, but for just about anyone who's interestedin the history of popular music. Starting with old English folk song "Summer is a-cumming in" (which was also sung at the climax of 70s horror movie classic The Wicker Man), & ending with a version of "1985" (a download hit for the group Bowling for Soup a few months prior to this recording) &in between covering everything from English music hall, Gilbert & Sullivan, jazz standards & merseybeat - this is a wonderful selection of haunting songs.

No, you won't find any of Richard Thompson's legendary electric guitar workouts on here, & you won't find any of his own songs, even though many of them could have matched the timeless quality of the great stuff that IS on here - but the dvd DOES manage to present Thompson as one of the most plain enjoyable live performersin the world. And it's all packagedin a lovely box with artwork, song notes & two bonus cd's. Now if only they'd do a presentation of Thompson's OWN song cataloguein this format - & that's a hint,in case any of the people responsible for this great set happen to be reading this.

---

MORE FORK BENDING BY THE MASTER. - By: TANKY FRANKY, 23 Aug 2006
A essential dvd/cd's, not just for Thompsonites but anyone who is interestedin the evolution of music. The concert is beautifully recorded & feels intimate & exciting.Thompson is as usual a perfectionist & this concert clearly shows his understanding of all genre's of music.There's not many around you could say that about. Buy now! (or pay day.)

---

Not essential but certainly enjoyable - By: Smokey Joe, 13 Aug 2006
If you are one of the millions of hardcore Thompson fans then any release is going to meet with a reflex purchase. So, I assume if you are reading the reviews for this item then you have some reservations about this DVD.

If I had to do it again, I'd probably rent this DVD rather than purchase it. My main reason for feeling this way is that Thompson takes us on a very worthy but at times arduous trawl through 1000 years of popular music. Nothing can be faultedin his performance but I did find myself scanning the (excellent) liner notes & counting how many more tracks I had to get through before the end of the DVD, not exactly a strong recommendation on my part.

Thompson is a fantastic musician (in the widest sense of the word) & his translation of orchestral pieces to the guitar, for example a Gilbert & Sullivan piece, is nothing short of astonishing. But is it entertainment? You will probably be impressed but I wonder how often you'll want to sit down & watch the concert again.

It is much to Thompson's credit that I cannot think of another musician alive who could possibly attempt this highly ambitious task. Much better as edutainment than entertainment.

---

Excellent product! - By: Eero W, 05 Aug 2006
My 16 years old daughter asked "What on earth is this?" when I listened to Richard Thompson's Oops!... I Did It Again. Britney Spears' song belonged to her favourites some years ago, & she found Richard's version of it terrific good. I could say the same of Thompson's interpretations of favourite songs of my youthin the 60's & 70's as well as of his fine interpretations of older tunes from centuries ago!